PROCEEDINGS 


ON    THE    OCCASION    OF 


LAYING    THE     CORNER-STONE 


NEW   HALL 


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AUaUST     18,     1864, 


BOSTON: 

HENHY  W.  BUTTON  &  SON,  PRINTERS, 
90  AND  92  Washington  Street. 

1864. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
AT  AMHERST 


UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

Special  Collections  &  Rare  Books 


W^m^'^^xxmiU  WmtimUxml  ^mtUj. 


At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society,  held  at  their  rooms,  Saturday,  September  3,  the  follow- 
ing votes  were  unanimously  passed : 

That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  tendered  to  the  President, 
for  his  very  interesting  and  fehcitous  address  delivered  at  the 
laying  of  the  Corner-Stone,  and  that  a  copy  be  requested  for 
publication. 

That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  presented  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
LoTHROP,  for  his  services  at  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  Corner- 
Stone. 

That  the  Committee  of  Publication  be  authorized  to  publish, 
for  distribution  among  the  members,  the  address  delivered  by 
the  President,  C.  M.  Hovey,  at  the  laying  of  the  Corner-Stone 
of  Horticultural  Hall,  on  the  18th  of  Auo-ust  last,  too-ether 
with  a  detailed  account  of  the  ceremonies  on  that  occasion. 

C.  M.  HOVEY,  President. 
F.  LYMAN  WINSHIP,  Secretary. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


The  Corner-Stone  of  the  New  Hall  of  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  was  laid  on  the  18th  of  August,  1864. 

At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Society,  called  on  the  13th  day 
of  August,  at  the  Rooms  in  Amory  Hall,  the  President  stated 
that  the  work  of  building  the  new  Hall  had  so  far  progressed 
as  to  be  in  readiness  for  laying  the  Corner-Stone. 

He  remarked  that  the  magnitude  of  the  building  was  such, 
that  it  was  deemed  proper  to  observe  the  occasion  in  a  manner 
commensurate  with  the  importance  of  the  work ;  and,  although 
it  was  not  the  desire  of  the  Building  Committee,  or  he  pre- 
sumed of  the  Society,  to  make  any  ostentatious  display,  yet  it 
was  thought  some  notice  should  be  taken  of  such  an  event,  and 
that  the  Corner-Stone  should  be  laid  with  such  ceremonies  as 
were  deemed  appropriate.  It  remained  for  the  Society  to  take 
such  measures  as  would  render  the  occasion  interesting  to  the 
members  and  creditable  to  the  association. 

On  motion  of  G.  W.  Pkatt,  Esq.,  it  was  voted  that  a  Com- 
mittee of  ten  be  appointed  by  the  President,  with  full  power 
to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  thought  proper  for  the 
occasion,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  the  Com- 
mittee : 

Geo.  W.  Pratt, 

S.    H.    GiBIJENS, 

W.  H.  Spooner,  Jr., 
William  Gray,  Jr., 

C.  H.  B.  Breck, 

F.  Lyman  Winsiiir, 

J.   C.    HOVEY, 

D.  T.  Curtis, 

E.  W.    BUSWELL, 

R.  McCleary  Copeland. 


Agreeably  to  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Committee,  the 
members  of  the  Society,  with  Ilis  Honor  Mayor  Lincoln, 
the  members  of  various  kindred  societies,  and  other  invited 
guests  assembled  at  the  Rooms  of  the  Society,  in  Amory  Hall, 
at  the  corner  of  West  and  AYashington  Streets,  at  9  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  on  the  18th  of  August.  The  meeting  was  opened  by 
the  President,  who  stated  its  objects  and  requested  those  present 
to  form  in  procession  in  the  Hall,  and  thence  under  the  marshal- 
ship  of  Samuel  Hatch,  Esq.,  proceed  to  the  site  of  the  build- 
ing, at  the  corner  of  Tremont  and  Bromfield  Streets.  The 
Order  of  Procession  was  as  follows : 

Detachment  of  Police. 

Chief  Marshal. 

Brigade  Band. 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

President  of  the  Society  and  Chaplain. 

His  Honor  the  Mayor,  and  Members  of  the  City  Government. 

Building  Committee. 
Stewards  bearing  the  Boxes  and  Documents  for  deposit  beneath 

the  Stone. 

Architects  of  the  Building. 

Past  Officers  of  the  Society. 

Invited  Guests. 

Members  of  the  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanics'  Association. 

Members  of  the  Natural  History  Society. 

Trustees  of  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 

Members  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

Members  of  the  Institute  of  Technology. 

Trustees  of  the  Public  Library. 

Members  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture. 

Members  of  the  Boston  Numismatic  Society. 

Members  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

The  Procession  proceeded  up  West  Street,  through  Tremont 
Street  Mall  and  Tremont  Street,  to  the  site  of  the  new  building, 


6 


and  formed  upon  the  platform,  a  raised  dais  being  erected  for 
the  President,  Chaplain,  and  invited  guests.  After  Music  by 
the  Band,  the  following  Address  was  delivered  by  the  President 
of  the  Societv. 


ADDRESS. 

DELIVERED   BY  C.   M.   HOUEY,   ESQ.,   PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


Gentlemen  of  the 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society: 

We  are  assembled  here  to-day,  agreeably  to  your  direc- 
tion, to  take  the  first  formal  step  towards  the  erection  of  a 
building  for  the  use  of  the  Society,  to  more  effectually 
carry  out  its  purposes  of  "  encouraging  and  improving  the 
science  and  practice  of  Horticulture,  promoting  the  ameli- 
oration of  the  various  species  of  trees,  fruits,  plants,  and 
vegetables,  and  the  introduction  of  new  species  and  varie- 
ties." 

Such  were  the  original  objects  of  the  Society,  as  named 
in  the  act  of  incorporation,  and  such,  I  am  happy  to  say, 
they  have  always  been,  and  I  doubt  not,  ever  will  be,  as 
long  as  this  beautiful  edifice  you  are  about  to  erect  shall 
endure. 

This  is  the  second  time  that  you  have,  in  the  course  of 
your  organization,  erected  a  building  for  the  Society.     It  \ 
will  be  just  twenty  years,  on  the  14th  of  September  next,  ' 
since  the   Corner-Stone  of  Horticultural  Hall  in   School 
Street,  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old  Latin  school-house, 
was  laid  by  your  late  President,  the  Hon.  Marshall  P. 


8 

Wilder,  now  prevented  from  uniting  in  these  ceremonies 
by  long  continued  illness.  It  was  the  only  important  act 
of  the  Society  since  its  foundation  in  which  I  have  not 
been  present  or  taken  a  part;  but  absence  abroad  prevent- 
ed me  from  witnessing  the  services  on  that  interesting 
occasion;  and  T  esteem  it  a  source  of  the  highest  gratifi- 
cation that,  through  your  continued  kindness  and  great 
confidence,  I  have  now  the  honor  not  only  to  be  present 
with  you,  but  to  take  so  prominent  a  part  in  laying  the 
corner-stone  of  another  and  more  magnificent  structure, 
which  will  undoubtedly  be  the  home  of  the  Society  long 
after  we  and  many  succeeding  generations  have  passed 
away. 

The  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  was  organized 
February  24th  and  incorporated  June  12th,  1829,  and  it 
is  highly  gratifying  to  me,  and  I  doubt  not  to  every  mem- 
ber, to  recognize  among  those  who  are  assembled  here  to- 
day, gentlemen  whose  names  are  borne  upon  the  charter, 
and  many  others  who  were  prominent  and  active  members 
the  first  year  of  its  organization.  Though  thirty-five 
years  have  glided  away,  and  age  may  have  lessened  their 
active  labors,  it  has  not  checked  their  enthusiasm,  dimin- 
ished their  zeal,  or  lessened  their  devotion  to  the  interests 
of  a  pursuit  which,  in  their  younger  days,  was  a  source  of 
instructive  occupation  and  pleasure,  and  which  now  amuses 
and  solaces  their  declining  years. 

It  would  scarcely  be  possible,  should  I  make  the  at- 
tempt, in  these  brief  remarks,  to  recount  the  progress  of 


the  Society,  from  its  small  beginning  in  State  Street,  up  to 
that  period  when  the  old  hall  in  School  Street  was  erected, 
since  which  time  its  history  is  more  familiar;  but  I  should 
be  recreant  to  duty  did  I  not,  standing  on  these  solid  foun- 
dations, refer  to  one  who  did  more  than  all  others  to  place 
the  society  in  its  present  flourishing  condition,  and  enable 
it  now  to  undertake  the  building  of  an  edifice  of  such 
magnitude  and  architectural  beauty.  Need  I  say  I  refer  to 
the  late  General  Deaebokn  ?  Without  detracting  in  the 
least  from  the  labors  of  a  band  of  intelHgent  and  distin- 
guished men,  who  were  pioneers  in  the  enterprise,  it  is  not 
too  much  to  say  that  to  him  are  we  indebted  for  that 
"sacred  garden  of  the  dead,"  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery, 
and  the  consequent  results  from  his  plan  of  an  experi- 
mental garden.  His  enlarged  knowledge,  liberal  views, 
accomplished  mind,  practical  skill,  and  elevated  character, 
alone  carried  the  project  through.  His  pen  was  never  idle 
in  gathering  facts  and  writing  reports  to  show  the  under- 
taking a  safe  one,  and  the  objects  to  be  attained  worthy 
the  consideration  of  the  whole  community.  By  the  happy 
combination  of  an  experimental  garden  and  cemetery,  hor- 
ticulture was  to  be  recognized  as  an  art  and  science,  and 
the  dead  removed  to  secluded  and  shady  groves,  away  from 
the  busy  marts  of  crowded  cities ;  and  though  a  combina- 
tion of  circumstances  changed  a  part  of  his  favorite 
scheme,  it  is  undoubtedly  owing  to  its  failure  that  we  are 
indebted  for  the  means  to  erect  this  Temple,  no  less  calcu- 
lated "to  foster  and  extend  a  taste  for  the  pleasant,  useful, 


/ 


10 

and  refined  art  of  gardening."  We  love  and  revere  the 
name  of  such  a  noble  man  :  we  shall  never  forget  his  un- 
selfish labors,  and,  when  our  edifice  is  completed,  it  will,  I 
am  sure,  be  the  hope  that  his  statue  may  have  a  prominent 
place  within  it.  But  whether  statue  or  bust  shall  ever 
grace  our  hall,  this  building  will  be  the  enduring  memo- 
rial of  his  genius  and  services,  and  his  name  will  be  held 
in  grateful  remembrance  by  a  thousand  generations. 
'  But  it  is  since  the  completion  of  the  former  hall  that 
the  progress  of  the  Society  has  been  more  rapid,  and  its 
influence  felt  throughout  the  entire  country.  New  life  and 
fresh  vitality  were  infused  into  the  Society.  It  had  the 
sympathy,  as  it  had  the  substantial  aid,  of  the  pubhc.  It 
was  appreciated  as  its  founders  intended  it  should  be.  Its 
objects  seemed  all  at  once  to  become  apparent.  /  It  encour- 
aged and  promoted  the  science  and  practice  of  horticult- 
ure ; — it  stimulated  the  production  and  introduction  of 
new  flowers,  fruits,  trees,  and  plants; — it  rewarded  the 
cultivator  for  the  best  specimens  of  his  skill ; — it  gathered 
together,  for  the  use  of  the  members,  a  library  of  the 
most  celebrated  English  and  French  works  on  garden- 
ing;— it  made  known  through  its  weekly  and  annual  exhi- 
bitions all  the  choicer  productions  of  the  garden,  the 
orchard,  and  the  greenhouse; — it  awakened  a  taste  for 
ornamental  and  landscape  art,  and  it  disseminated  through 
its  annual  reports  a  vast  fund  of  information  upon  every 
branch  of  horticulture. 


11 

Who  does  not  see,  in  whatever  direction  he  may  turn, 
the  results  of  the  influence  which  has  gone  out  from  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  ?  Beautiful  villas  en- 
rich and  embellish  all  parts  of  the  country ;  suburban  gar- 
dens of  greater  or  less  extent  give  a  cheerful  and  pictu- 
resque  aspect  to  our  towns  and  villages;  and  even  the  little 
gardens  and  city  lots  denote  some  unseen  influence  which 
has  changed  these  weedy  and  neglected  places  into  verdant 
and  fertile  spots.  Who  will  compare  the  rural  aspect  of 
the  country  thirty-five  years  ago  with  its  present  appear- 
ance, and  say  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  has 
wasted  the  resources  with  which  a  liberal  public  have  in 
part  endowed  it,  for  objects  so  beneficent,  and  for  purposes 
which  confer  both  individual  comfort  and  happiness  upon 
the  people. 

Thanks  to  the  generous  men  of  Boston,  that  after  they 
had  witnessed  our  good  stewardship,  they  reposed  every 
confidence  in  us,  and  came  forward  hberally  with  their  aid, 
determined  that  no  loss  should  come  from  an  enterprise 
then  deemed  hazardous  for  our  means.  Yes,  gentlemen, 
we  were  the  owners  of  a  new  hall,  but  beyond  that  we  had 
but  little  to  accomplish  the  great  objects  in  view,  namely, 
to  create  a  laudable  competition  by  the  offer  and  distribu- 
tion of  liberal  prizes,  and  thus  attract  the  people  to  see 
the  superior  specimens  which  the  skill  of  our  cultivators 
could  produce.  We  had  not,  fortunately,  any  occasion  to 
wait;  and  I  deem  this  a  most  fitting  opportunity  to  allude 
to  their  liberal  acts.     Few  of  the  large  number  of  mem- 


12 

bers,  who  have  recently  joined  us,  know  by  what  means 
we  have  reached  our  present  prosperity,  and,  if  they  did, 
we  should  be  ungrateful  were  we  to  forget  those  among 
the  dead,  or  those  among  the  living,  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  aid  to  more  effectually  carry  forward  the  great 
objects  of  our  association. 

This  building,  it  is  true,  is  erected  by  the  funds  of  the 
Society  principally  received  from  our  interest  in  Mount 
Auburn  Cemetery.  This  beautiful  location,  however,  was 
only  secured  by  the  most  persevering  efforts  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  for  that  purpose,  who  beheved  it  pos- 
sessed all  the  facilities  the  Society  required,  and  was  just 
within  the  means  of  the  Society  to  purchase.  Two  years 
have  your  committee  assiduously  labored  to  bring  the  work 
to  its  present  state.  We  hope  and  believe  the  Society  will 
never  have  cause  to  regret  what  they  have  done. 

And  we  have  established  funds,  the  income  of  which  is 
distributed  yearly  in  premiums.  This  has  been  the  life  of 
the  Society;  and,  the  larger  the  amount  at  our  disposal, 
the  more  rapidly  will  the  art  of  Horticulture  be  promoted, 
and  a  genuine  taste  for  gardening  be  encouraged. 

And  now  let  me  name,  because  first,  and  just  at  the 
right  time,  just  as  we  had  expended  our  funds  in  the  build- 
ing of  the  old  hall,  came  the  liberal  donation  of  the  vener- 
able merchant,  Samuel  Appleton,  whose  many  benefac- 
tions to  various  public  institutions  will  render  his  name 
honorable,  and  cause  his  memory  ever  to  be  cherished. 


13 

Next,  we  have  the  same  generous  gift  from  the  puhhc 
spirited  and  well-known  gentleman,  the  son  of  one  who 
presided  at  the  first  formal  call  to  organize  the  Society,  and 
whose  name  is  intimately  associated  with  everything  con- 
nected with  the  early  improvements  in  horticulture  around 
Boston.  Need  I  name  John  A.  Lowell?  "Not  being 
able,"  as  he  says  in  his  letter  to  the  Society,  "to  actively 
cooperate  with  you,  but  wishing  to  contribute  in  a  moderate 
way,  I  send  you  one  thousand  dollars."  May  he  long  be 
spared  to  witness  the  good  results  of  his  timely  aid. 

And  now,  standing  conspicuously  in  the  group  of  our 
many  benefactors,  we  have  another  name,  not  only  associ- 
ated with  horticulture  and  agriculture,  but  with  the  finer 
art  of  landscape  gardening.  Who  does  not  remember  the 
once  and  yet  elegant  demesne  at  Waltham,  where,  years 
gone  by,  the  beautiful  deer  might  be  seen  bounding  o'er 
the  lawn,  or  gently  reposing  beneath  some  graceful  elm  ? 
Need  I  name  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.  ?  who  bequeathed  to 
us  the  munificent  sum  of  $10,000,  having  during  his  life 
made  the  same  generous  gift  as  those  already  named. 
His  memory  will  be  ever  dear  to  us  and  our  successors. 

And  yet  we  have  the  aid  of  that  kind-hearted  and  liberal 
merchant,  Josiah  Bradlee,  whose  aim  it  was  to  see  the 
effects  of  his  liberality  during  his  own  hfe.  Not  only  was 
his  donation  of  one  thousand  dollars  most  gratefully  re- 
ceived, but  his  many  acts  of  friendship  towards  the  Society, 
in  its  time  of  need,  are  indelibly  recorded  in  our  memory. 


14 

Then  we  have  the  legacy  of  one  who  was  among  the 
earliest  friends  of  the  Society,  always  an  active  and  honor- 
able member,  and  for  many  years  one  of  its  Vice  Presi- 
dents; whose  special  and  successful  culture  of  one  of  our 
most  valuable  fruits  has  been  of  great  service  to  pomologi- 
cal  progress.  The  appropriation  of  the  income  of  the 
Feench  fund  to  the  encouragement  of  one  particular  fruity 
has  already  been  highly  beneficial,  and  the  yearly  exhibition 
of  superior  specimens  of  apples  will  always  remind  us  of 
his  early  and  later  participations  in  the  prominent  acts  of 
the  Society. 

Others  among  those  who  have  gone  from  us,  and  whose 
ashes  repose  beneath  the  fragrant  turf,  or  lie  beneath  the 
shady  groves  of  Mount  Auburn,  have  made  us  partici- 
pators of  their  bounty.  Each  and  all  will  be  remembered 
by  every  member  of  our  association. 

But,  gentlemen,  there  is  one  at  least  among  the  living 
who  has  given  us  recently  and  so  liberally, — encouraging 
us  by  his  sympathy  and  devotion  to  our  interests, — that  I 
think  I  shall  not  be  transgressing  the  bounds  of  friendship 
to  mention.  I  refer  to  H.  Hollis  Hunne"\vell,  whose 
beautiful  country  residence  at  Wellesley  so  many  of  you 
have  seen  and  admired,  and  which  displays  so  much  taste 
in  its  arrangement  and  keeping.  His  generous  gift  of 
$2500,  just  now  that  we  wish  to  increase  rather  than 
curtail  our  premiums,  is  most  opportune.  Mr.  Hunnewell 
is  now  absent  in  Europe;   and  from  these  foundations  we 


15 

waft  across  the  broad  Atlantic    our  best  wishes   fur    his 
health  and  prosperity,  and  a  safe  return  to  his  home. 

Of  other  donors  it  would  be  a  pleasure  to  speak,  but  1 
am  not  permitted  to  do  so. 

But  the  most  colossal  edifice  which  associated  wealtli 
could  erect,  though  it  might  be  a  perpetual  monument  of 
architectural  taste  and  skill,  would  be  of  little  avail  without 
the  aid  of  a  zealous  and  cooperative  association ;  and  whik^ 
we  recount  with  pride  these  many  benefactions,  we  ought 
not  to  forget  that  to  a  host  of  intelligent  amateurs  and  cul- 
tivators— to  Cook,  Downer,  Lowell,  Manning,  Kenrick, 
WiNSHip,  Perkins,  Prince,  Phinney,  Gushing,  Yose, 
Walker,  Lovett,  Harris,  Teschemacher,  Haggerston, 
Williams,  and  many  others — not  to  enumerate  the  liv- 
incy — are  we  indebted  for  the  invaluable  services  and  un- 
flagging zeal  which  have  given  to  the  Society  a  renown 
second  to  no  other  horticultural  association  in  the  world. 

And  now,  gentlemen,  as  we  are  to  place  beneath  this 
granite  block  the  records  of  what  we  have  already  accom- 
phshed,  with  the  object  of  transmitting  them  to  distant  gen- 
erations, let  us  hope  that,  whenever,  at  some  very  remote 
day,  when  these  walls  may  crumble  and  decay, — for  decay, 
though  slow,  is  the  destiny  of  all  earthly  things,— and 
these  memorials  shall  come  to  light,  they  will  at  least  serve 
to  show  that  the  objects  of  the  Society  were  solely  to  pro- 
mote all  those  pursuits  which  bring  pleasure  and  happiness 
to  the  social  and  domestic  life ;  to  enrich  and  embelhsh 
our  homes  and  country;    to  create  a  refined  taste,  and  to 


16 

open  new  and  exhaustless  sources  of  instruction  and 
wealth. 

With  the  increased  means  with  which  the  liberality  of 
the  public  have  in  part  endowed  us, — the  resources  from 
the  investment  now  believed  to  be  so  judiciously  made, — 
and  the  greater  facilities  afforded  by  this  edifice,  we  shall 
be  called  upon  for  fresh  exertion,  greater  activity,  and  the 
same  persistent  zeal  which  have  thus  far  given  us  a  name 
and  reputation  at  home  and  abroad. 

We  feel  the  responsibility  of  the  task,  but  an  appreciat- 
ing and  enhghtened  public  will  cheer  us  on ;  and  as  those 
who  have  been  so  prominent  in  our  councils  are  soon  to 
pass  away,  and  the  "  places  which  know  them  shall  know 
them  no  more,"  may  our  successors,  animated  with  their 
zeal,  stimulated  by  their  example,  roused  by  their  energy, 
and  enlightened  by  their  knowledge,  not  only  preserve  the 
Society  in  its  present  flourishing  state,  but  extend  its  use- 
fulness, increase  its*  popularity,  and  give  it  an  imperishable 
renown. 


At  the  close  of  the  Address,  the  Corner-Stone  was  laid  by 
the  President,  who  was  presented  with  an  elegantly  burnished 
steel  trowel  for  the  occasion. 

An  appropriate  prayer  was  then  oiFered  by  the  Eev.  Dr. 
LoTHROP,  Chaplain. 

The  whole  audience  then  joined  in  singing  Old  Hundred, 
after  which,  the  ceremonies  were  concluded  with  a  Benediction. 


APPEKDIX, 


APPENDIX. 


DESCRIPTIOX  OF  THE    BOX,  PLATE,  AND    OTHER  ARTICLES,  DE- 
POSITED   UXDER   THE    CORXER-STOXE  OF  THE  XEW  HALL. 

The  box  Is  made  of  zinc,  and  twelve  inches  lonji,  ten  wide, 
and  four  deej^.  In  the  box  the  annexed  list  of  articles  are 
enclosed : 

1.  A  Silver  Plate,  measuring  eight  inches  long  and  six 
wide,  upon  which  the  following  is  engraved : 

THIS   EDIFICE    IS    ERECTED 


IHassafUusdts    funiiniltutal   ^oridy, 

For  the  purpose  of  encouraging  and  improving  the 
Science  and  Practice  of  Horticulture, 

And  this   Corner-Stone   laid,   August   18,   1864, 

BY  THE  PRESIDENT, 

CHARLES   M.   HOVEY. 


Bu  ilding  Com  m  ittee : 


C.    M.    HOVET, 

JosiAH  Stickney, 
M.  P.  Wilder, 
C.  O.  Whitmore, 
W.   li.   AUSTIX. 


h.  h.  hunnewell, 
Joseph  S.  Cabot, 
J.  F.  C.  Hyde, 
L.  Wetherell. 


Architects : 
Gridley  J.  F.  Bryant  and  Arthur  Oilman. 

To  this  Society  the  community  are  indebted  for  the  foundation 
and  consecration  of  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 


20 

Massachusetts    Horticultural     Society, 

Incorporated  the  12  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1829. 

Present  number  of  members,  six  hundred  eighty. 

President, 
CHARLES  M.  HOVEY. 

Vice  Presidents, 

J.  F.  C.  Hyde,  C.  O.  Whitmore, 

H.  HOLLIS  HUXNEA\  ELL,  W.  C.  StRONG. 

Treasurer, 

William  R.  Austin. 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Recording  Secretary, 

Eben.  Wight.  F.  Lyman  Winship. 

2.  Proceedings  of  the  Society,  from  1843  to  1864. 

3.  Publications  of  the  Society,  containing  its  History,  &c., 
by  Gen.  Dearborn. 

4.  Boston  Almanac  for  1864. 

5.  Catalogue  of  Proprietors  of  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 

6.  Copies  of  Hovey's  Magazine  of  Horticulture  for  1864, 
containing  Reports  of  Building  Committee. 

7.  Copy  of  Fruits  of  America. 

8.  Boston  newspapers  of  August  18. 

9.  Silver  Medal  of  the  Society. 

10.  Bronze  Medal. 

11.  Appleton  Bronze  INIedal. 

12.  Coins  of  the  United  States,  dollar,  half  dollar,  and  smal- 
ler, of  the  date  of  1864. 

Beneath  the  box  was  placed  the  box,  with  its  contents  entire, 
which  was  taken  from  beneath  the  Corner-Stone  of  the  old  Hall 
in  School  Street. 

Both  boxes  were  placed  in  a  cavity  in  the  first  vermiculated 
stone,  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  building,  on  Tremont 
Street  and  Montgomery  Place. 


21 


REPORT   OF   THE   BUILDING   COMMITTEE. 

At  a  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Society,  held  January  2,  1864, 
on  motion  of  C.  O.  Whitmore,  a  Committee  of  Nine,  of  which 
the  President  should  be  Chairman,  was  appointed  to  consider 
the  expediency  of  erecting  a  building  on  the  Montgomery 
House  estate,  and  report  the  probable  cost  of  the  same. 

The  President, 

JosiAH  Stickney, 

C.  O.  Whitmore, 

M.  P.  Wilder, 

J.  S.  Cabot, 

W.  R.  Austin, 

H.  H.  Hunnewell, 

J.  F.  C.  Hyde,  and 

L.  Wetherell, 
were  nominated  and  unanimously  chosen. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Society,  February  6th,  the  Building 
Committee  made  the  following  Report : 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  the  ex- 
pediency of  erecting  a  building  on  the  Montgomery  House 
estate,  recently  purchased  by  the  Society,  and  the  probable 
expense  of  the  same,  have  attended  to  that  duty,  and  submit 
the  following  Report : 

Your  Committee  consider  the  subject  referred  to  them  of 
very  great  importance  to  the  Society,  and  they  have  endeavored 
to  give  it  the  thorough  deliberation  and  investigation  its  impor- 
tance demands.  A  portion  of  the  Committee  having  previously 
examined  the  subject  and  made  a  general  report,  they  were 
desirous  that  other  gentlemen,  fresh  from  the  Society,  should 
cooperate  with  them,  and  carefully  examine  the  whole  question 
of  building,  and  give  such  an  opinion  as  Avould  enable  every 
member  to  cast  a  satisfactory  vote  when  brought  before  the 
Society. 


22 

Your  Committee  believe  it  is  for  the  permanent  interest  of 
the  Society  to  proceed  with  the  erection  of  a  building,  if  it  can 
be  done  within  its  means,  or  with  safety  as  an  investment  of  its 
funds.  The  question  of  time  is  one  which  they  have  given 
much  attention,  and  looking  at  it  in  all  its  aspects,  they  feel 
assured,  with  such  a  plan  as  they  have  had  prepared,  should  it 
meet  the  wishes  and  approval  of  the  Society,  a  building  can  be 
erected  at  a  reasonably  enhanced  price,  without  detriment  to  its 
present  interests  or  future  welfare,  afford  a  good  income  upon 
the  outlay,  and,  what  is  of  most  importance,  place  the  Society 
in  the  possession  of  a  hall  of  its  own,  where  it  can  accommodate 
all  the  exhibitions,  weekly  or  annual — a  building  that  shall  be 
an  ornament  to  our  city,  "a  fitting  testimonial  of  our  liberal- 
ity"— and  one  which  Avill  enable  us  to  carry  forward  the  great 
objects  of  its  founders,  viz.:  "Encouraging  and  improving  the 
science  of  horticulture." 

At  an  early  stage  of  the  action  of  the  Society,  a  committee 
of  five  was  chosen  to  purchase  a  suitable  site  within  certain 
limits ;  and  that  committee,  desirous  of  serving  the  interests 
and  forwarding  the  objects  of  the  Society,  which  they  believed 
to  be  to  secure  a  handsome  and  appropriate  building,  selected 
the  Montgomery  House  estate,  and  had  plans  and  estimates 
prepared  by  G.  J.  F.  Bryant,  Esq.,  placed  before  them  and  the 
Society.  This  plan  has  been  taken  as  the  basis  of  another,  now 
about  to  be  submitted  for  your  consideration.  No  vote  Avas 
taken  upon  it  by  the  old  Committee,  and  its  internal  arrange- 
ments were  not  especially  criticised  or  debated,  as  the  time  had 
not  then  arrived  for  such  action.  It  was  simply  an  idea  of  the 
style  of  building,  in  its  architectural  proportions  and  general 
beauty.  Estimates  were,  however,  made,  showing  that  it  could 
have  been  erected  in  1862  for  $85,000. 

This  plan  has  been  materially  and  essentially  altered  in  its 
interior  arrangements,  while  its  exterior  character  has  been  pre- 
served, and,  it  is  confidently  hoped,  its  architectural  proportions 
improved,  its  fitness  augmented,  and  its  beauty  of  design  much 
enhanced.  It  is  now  jn-esented,  with  the  full  belief  that,  afler 
much  study,  it  comes  as   near   as  possible   to  the   wants   and 


23 

requirements  of  the  Soelety,  both  as  regards  its  own  uses 
and  that  equally  important  one  of  income.  It  has  liad  tlie  long 
attention  and  deliberation  of  some  of  the  Committee,  and  is 
offered  with  tlie  hope  and  expectation  that  it  will  be  satisfactory 
to  all. 

The  plan  herewith  presented  contains  a  larger  and  smaller 
hall ;  the  former  suited  to  the  Opening,  Eose,  and  Annual  Ex- 
hibitions, or  any  exhibitions  the  Society  may  wish  to  make  ; 
and  the  latter  admirably  adapted  to  its  weekly  and  ordinary 
shows.  On  the  second  floor,  the  meeting  room,  library  room, 
and  committee  rooms  connect  with  the  smaller  hall,  with  a  rear 
entrance  from  Montgomery  Place  for  exhibitors,  and  a  conveni- 
ent room  for  preparing  plants  and  fruits  for  exhibition.  The 
large  hall  occupies  the  third  floor,  and  the  space  of  the  entire 
building,  accessible  by  two  broad  flights  of  stairs,  from  the 
rotunda,  and  also  a  rear  entrance  from  Montgomery  Place,  and 
the  same  accommodations  for  exhibitors  as  the  hall  beneath.  It 
will  be  a  lofty  and  magnificent  hall,  with  a  gallery  at  one  end 
and  a  stao-e  at  the  other,  and  will  be  liohted  from  the  sides  and 
top.  Its  area  will  be  about  4000  feet.  The  street  floor  contains 
two  larire  stores  on  Tremont  Street  and  four  on  Bromfield 
Street,  with  three  basement  stores  beneath. 

Your  Committee  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  enter  into  any 
particular  description  of  the  exterior  design  of  the  building. 
The  various  drawings  of  the  front  and  side  facades,  as  well  as 
the  perspective  view,  now  placed  before  you  for  your  inspection 
and  approval,  relieve  them  of  that  duty.  The  style  is  that  now 
generally  adopted  in  modern  Europe,  for  most  of  the  public 
edifices  of  this  character,  and  from  its  graceftd  proportions,  har- 
monious expression,  and  adaptability  to  general  use,  appears  best 
suited  to  the  requirements  of  the  Society,  while  it  affords  the 
best  evidence  of  our  appreciation  of  architectural  beauty. 

The  material  selected  by  your  Committee  is  the  Concord 
white  granite,  which,  for  its  tone  of  color  and  durability,  pre- 
eminently fit  it  for  the  style  and  purpose  of  such  a  structure. 
The  best  example  of  this  material,  of  recent  erection,  is  the  new 
City  Hall,  and  one  of  much  earlier  date,  the  house  of  David 


S4 

Sears,  Esq.,  on  Beacon  Street,  the  latter  best  illustrating  its 
wear  and  appearance  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  half  a  century. 

The  entire  cost  of  the  erection  of  the  buildino-,  according^  to 
the  estimates  of  Mr.  Bryant,  made  to  your  Committee  and  pro- 
cured from  responsible  parties,  and  since  revised,  will  not  ex- 
ceed 'f  102,500,  and  when  the  offers  are  open  to  competition  he 
believes  it  will  be  reduced.  When  your  Committee  take  into 
consideration  the  greatly  enhanced  value  of  its  stocks,  over  that 
of  1862,  this  excess  over  the  estimates  of  the  first  plan  is  far 
more  favorable  than  they  were  led  to  anticipate. 

The  income  of  the  building,  according  to  the  best  judgment 
of  your  Committee,  and  obtained  by  careful  enquiry  of  the 
income  of  property  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  will  be  fully  equal 
to  six  per  centum  per  annum  on  the  entire  cost  of  the  invest- 
ment. 

To  meet  the  cost  of  the  erection  of  the  building,  your  Com- 
mittee herewith  annex  a  statement  of  the  assets  of  the  Society 
available  for  that  purpose,  very  carefully  and  accurately  pre- 
pared by  your  Treasurer,  and  believed  to  be  correct,  amounting 
to  1100,054  on  the  23d  January  last. 

To  meet  the  payment  of  the  mortgages  upon  the  estate,  pay- 
able in  twenty  years  from  September  1,  1863,  it  is  proposed  by 
your  Committee  to  recommend  to  the  Society,  immediately 
upon  the  completion  of  the  building,  the  creation  of  a  sinking 
fund,  which  shall  meet  its  liabilities  in  1883.  This  proposition 
is  to  lay  aside  every  year  ^3500  from  the  income  of  Mount 
Auburn,  Avhich  will,  with  interest,  amount  in  sixteen  years  to 
198,745. 

The  deep  interest  which  will  be  created  by  the  erection  of  a 
new  building,  it  is  believed  by  your  Committee,  will  greatly 
increase  the  number  of  members ;  and  the  income  fi'om  this 
source  and  its  exhibitions  will  probably  be  sufficient  to  pay  the 
ordinary  expenses  of  the  Society ;  and  should  this  hope  be  real- 
ized, a  larger  sum  can  be  added  to  the  sinking  flmd,  should  the 
Society  so  direct,  which  will  enable  it,  should  the  opportunity 
offer,  which  it  is  thought  possible  it  may,  to  pay  off  some  of  the 
mortgages  (being  made  to  six  parties)  before  the  period  of  their 


25 

expiration,  or  leave  to  tlie  Society  a  much  larger  sum  to  en- 
courage the  objects  to  which  it  is  especially  devoted. 

Your   Committee   cannot  here  omit  to  contrast  the   present 
condition  of  the  Society  with  its  condition  in  1843,  when   it 
decided  to  purchase  the  old  Latin  Schoolhouse  in  School  Street, 
for  the  sum  of  118,000.     With  only  115,000  of  available  fiinds 
for  the  purpose,  it  then  almost  unanimously  voted  to  erect  a 
building  upon  the  site,  which,  with  the  land,  would  cost  about 
$10,000.     If  the  attempt  to  build  now  can  be  termed  a  hazard- 
ous enterprise,  with  its  increased  means,  much  larger  number  of 
members,  and  the  far  greater  general  public  taste  for  horticult- 
ure and  rural  art,  what  must  the  action  of  the  Society  have 
been  deemed  in  1843  ?    Its  prospective  income  could  not  then  be 
considered,  at  the  outside,  at  more  than  $2500,  and  the  income 
from  the  building  less  than  five  per  centum ;  and  to  carry  for- 
ward the  work  it  was  necessary   to  execute  a  mortgage  for^ 
$15,000,  besides  the  use  of  all  the  income  from  Mt.  Auburn 
for  four  years.     Yet  it  went  on  prosperously,  meeting  all  its  lia- 
bilities promptly,  distributing  very  liberally  of  its  means  for  the 
encouragement  of  Horticulture  and  Pomological  Science,  and, 
thanks  t'^o  those  who  labored  so  faithfrdly,  we  are  now  receiving 
the  benefits  of  the  sound  judgment  and  foresight,  united  with 
the  zeal  and  energy  of  those  who  laid  the  foundation  of  our 
success,   and  gave  to  the   Society  extended  influence  and  the 
means  of  fiir  greater  usefulness. 

In  conclusion,  your  Conmiittee  would  advise  the  immediate 
erection  of  a  building  worthy  of  that  art  and  science  which  is 
henceforth  to  be  its  home,  and  spread  therefrom  its  benign  influ- 
ence throughout  the  land. 

Who  that  treads  the  shady  paths  and  winding  avenues,  or 
reclines  beneath  the  sacred  groves  of  that  garden  of  graves,  the 
inception  of  the  founders  of  the  Society— or  surveys  the  broad 
expanse  of  cultivated  country  now  reaching  to  the  Pacific, 
teeming  with  rich  fruits  and  beautiful  flowers,  would  wish,  with 
the  means  at  our  command,  and  the  known  public  spirit,  to 
erect  a  lesser  monument  to  the  triumphs  of  civilization. 


26 

How  consoling  tlie  reflection  that,  when  we  have  finished  our 
earthly  work,  and  our  ashes  repose  beneath  the  green  turf  and 
leafy  bowers  of  Mt.  Auburn,  this  elegant  building  shall  be  the 
enduring  memento  of  the  intelligence  and  wisdom  which  formed 
that  sacred  garden  of  the  dead,  aAvay  from  the  busy  haunts  of 
the  living.  In  this  temple,  dedicated  to  the  elegant  art  of  hor- 
ticulture we  shall  transmit  to  our  successors  a  record  of  our 
earnest  labors  to  accomplish  the  two-fold  task  of  decorating  and 
beautifying  our  homes  while  living,  and  of  adorning  and  conse- 
crating; our  homes  in  death. 

Entertaining  these  views  your  Committee  would  recommend 
the  passage  of  the  following  Resolutions : 

Resolved^  That  the  present  Committee  be  constituted  a  Build- 
ing Committee,  and  that  they  be,  and  are  hereby  authorized 
and  directed  to  proceed  with  the  erection  of  a  building  on  the 
Montgomery  House  estate,  recently  purchased  by  the  Society, 
according  to  the  plans,  specifications,  and  estimates,  prepared 
by  Gridley  J.  F.  Bryant,  Esq.,  approved  by  the  Committee, 
and  now  submitted  to  the  Society,  and  that  they  have  full 
power  to  enter  into  and  make  all  contracts  and  agreements,  in 
the  name  of  the  Society,  necessary  for  the  erection  and  comple- 
tion of  said  building. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  now  having  in  charge  the 
Montgomery  House  estate  be  authorized  and  directed  to  termi- 
nate the  present  lease  on  the  first  of  May  next. 

C.  M.  HOVEY, 

JosiAii  Stickxey, 
Marshall  P.  Wilder, 

C.  O.  WlIITMORE, 

Wm.  R.  Austin, 
h.  ii.  hunxewell, 
James  F.  C.  Hyde, 
Leander  Wetherell, 
JosERii  S.  Cabot, 

Committee  on  Building. 
Boston,  Feb.  6th,  1864. 


27 

Mr.  X.  Matthews  moved  as  a  su])stitute.  In  the  place  of  the 
Committee's  resolutions,  the  following,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

That  the  whole  matter  of  crectinir  a  hiiildlii'''  he  retei-rcd  to 
the  Committee,  with  full  }»()wer  to  make  such  aheratioiis  In  the 
plans  and  specifications  as  may  suggest  themselves,  under  the 
superintendence  of  the  architect,  Mr.  G.  J.  F.  Ih-yant,  and  at  a 
cost  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  8105,000. 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION   OF   THE   BUILDING. 

The  new  Hall  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society 
occupies  a  central  and  commanding  position  on  Tremont 
Street,  between  Bromfield  Street  and  ^lontgomery  Place.  A 
cellar  story,  partially  finished  into  apartments  as  a  basement, 
covers  the  wdiole  area  of  the  estate,  and  includes  also,  all  the 
area  beneath  the  sidewalks,  in  front  of  the  several  facades  of 
the  building.  This  story  is  sub-divided  into  six  apartments, 
two  of  w^hich  are  cellars  beneath,  and  connected  with  the  two 
front  stores  on  Tremont  Street.  Three  others  are  designed  for 
stores  or  mechanical  workshops,  while  the  sixth  apartment  is 
appropriated  as  an  engine  and  boiler  room  for  the  heating  ap- 
paratus, and  with  ample  accommodations  for  the  necessary  fuel. 
An  easy  staircase  in  the  north-east  corner  of  this  story,  com- 
municates with  the  stories  above,  as  well  as  with  the  entrance 
doorway  on  that  side,  from  Montgomery  Place.  Beneath  the 
sidewalk  pavement,  on  this  side,  are  located  the  lavatoi-ies, 
water  closets,  and  urinals,  for  the  use  of  the  occupants  of  the 
basement,  and  of  the  stores  above.  All  the  apartments  of  the 
basement  are  entered  from  the  Bromfield  Street  front,  by  flights 
of  steps,  and  all  are  amply  lighted  by  upright  w^indows  in  the 
external  walls,  and  by  Hyatt  lights,  to  be  located  in  the  side- 
walks of  aU  the  streets. 


28 

The  first,  or  street  story,  is  sub-divided  into  tlie  same  nnmber 
of  compartments  as  those  above  described  In  the  basement,  and 
consists  entirely  of  shops  or  stores,  two  of  which  front  on  Tre- 
mont  Street,  with  light  on  the  front,  and  on  one  side  of  each 
store,  while  the  remaining  four  all  entered  from  Bromfield 
Street,  and  are  lighted  both  In  front  and  rear  of  each.  The 
staircase,  commenced  in  the  basement,  Is  continued  up  through 
this  story,  and  Is  accessible  from  the  Montgomery  Place  side  of 
the  building.  The  front  or  main  staircase,  10  feet  in  width,  Is 
carried  uj^  between  the  two  stores  on  Tremont  Street. 

The  second  story  contains  one  of  the  Exhibition  Halls,  span- 
ning the  width  of  the  estate,  and  lighted  by  three  large  w^indows 
in  each  of  its  two  sides.  Besides  this  hall,  there  are  four 
apartments  to  the  west  of  it,  receiving  light  from  the  three  sides 
of  the  building,  and  communicating  with  each  other,  and  with 
a  square  lobby,  containing  three  noble  flights  of  stairs.  One  of 
these  flights  leads  up  from  the  principal  front  entrance  on  Tre- 
mont Street,  and  the  two  others  are  for  connection  with  the 
third  story,  w^hich  contains  the  principal  hall  of  the  building. 
Of  the  four  apartments  on  the  front  of  this  story,  the  two  which 
extend  across  the  whole  of  the  Tremont  Street  front,  are  for  the 
purposes  of  a  Library,  and  of  Superintendent's  and  Treasurer's 
office,  and  are  connected  by  wide  folding  doors,  so  as  to  be 
thrown  into  one,  when  necessary.  Connected  with  these  two 
front  rooms,  are  the  two  smaller  rooms,  located  between  the 
front  rooms  and  the  Hall,  and  occupying  all  the  remaining  space 
of  this  floor  not  devoted  to  lobby  and  staircases.  From  one  of 
these  smaller  rooms,  opens  a  water-closet  and  lavatory,  Intended 
for  the  use  of  the  officers  of  the  Society.  To  the  east  of  the 
Hall  on  this  second  story,  and  placed  between  it  and  the  ex- 
treme cast  wall  of  the  estate,  on  the  Bromfield  Street  side,  there 
is  an  a})artment  of  suitable  size  to  be  used  as  an  ante-room,  and 
corres]:)onding  in  area  with  the  staircase  hall  on  the  other  side, 
through  w  hich  runs  up  the  continuation  of  the  staircases  of  the 
two  stories  beneath,  and  accessible  from  Montgomery  Place. 
Between  these  two  is  formed  a  recess  for  the  stage  or  platform 
at  the  upper   end  of  the  hall,  and  a  passageway  in  the    rear  of 


29 

this  recess  connects  the  ante-room  witli  the  private  staircase  just 
described.  All  the  apartments  on  this  story  are  abundantly 
lio-hted,  in  the  three  exterior  walls,  by  windows  of  liljeral  di- 
mensions  and  pleasing  proportion. 

The  third  or  upper   story  is  mainly   devoted  to  a  principal 
Exhibition  Hdl,  extending  over  nearly  its  whole  area,  inasmuch 
as  it  not  only  spans  the  whole  width   of  the  estate,  but  occupies, 
with  its  lobby  entrances  and  stair  landings,  the  whole  length  of 
the  entire  property — with  the  exception  of  an  ante-room,  private 
staircase,  and  passageway  of  communication  in    the    rear,  the 
same  as  those  already  described  on  the  story  underneath.     On 
account  of  the  greater  height  on  this  floor,  this  arrangement 
of    stairway,   passage    and   ante-room  is   also    duplicated   m    a 
secondary  or  half  story,  introduced   above  the  one  just  named ; 
the  two  occupying  together,  only  the  height  of  the  larger  Hall. 
The  lobby  entrances  and  stair  landings  at  the  front  or  west  end 
of  the  building,  as  well  as  that  portion  of  the  area  of  the  large 
hall   lying  between  these  lobbies,  are  constructed  so  as  to  be  ten 
feet  in  height,  and  over  them  all  is   a  Gallery   of  the   whole 
width  of  the  Hall,  and  entered  from  one  of  the  landings  by  a 
flight  of  Gallery  stairs,  placed  in  the  south-west  corner  of  the 
building. 

Each  of  the  two  halls,  in  the  second  and  third  stories,  con- 
tains a  stage  at  its  eastern  end,  accessible  from  the  ante-rooms, 
and  from  the  rear  or  private  staircase  at  that  end  of  the  Hall. 
The  amount  of  interior  area  and  accommodation  afforded  by 
the  several  floors  of  the  building,  will  perhaps  be  better  under- 
stood by  the  following  schedule  of  the  number,  designation,  and 
dimensions  of  the  halls,  apartments,  &c.,  to  wit: 

BASEMENT   STORY. 

Store  No.  1  is  18.4  in  width  by  50.0  in  length. 
'^       "    2  "  18.4  "       "      "   50.9  "       " 
"       "    3  "  18.4  "       "      "    51.2  "       " 

Cellar  "    1  "  25.0  -       "      "    41.3  "       *' 
"       "    2  "  25.0  ''       "      "   44.0  "       " 

Eno-ine  and  Boiler  Room  14.G  by  36.8. 


30 

These  stores  vary  in  height,  conforming  to  the  grade  of 
Bromfiekl  Street. 

FIRST      OR      STREET    STORY. 

Store  No.  4  is  25.0  in  width  by  41.9  in  length. 

"       "    6  ''  18.4  "       "      "   50.6  "       " 

'^      "    8  "  18.4  "      "     "   50.3  "      " 
Room  for  Storage  15.0  by  36.9. 
These  stores  also  vary  in  height,  from  14  feet,  least,  to  18J 
feet,  fji'eatest  heio-ht,  accordino;  to  the  s^rade. 

SECOND    STORY. 

Hall,  51     feet  by  57     feet. 

Ante-Eoom,    12.0    "     ''    13.9     " 
Stage  Recess,    9.9    "     "    23.9     '' 

Two  Rooms  for  officers  of  the  Association,  18.6  x  20.6  and 
20.9  X  30.6,  respectively. 

The  heio'ht  of  these  rooms  is  17  feet  in  the  clear. 

THIRD    STORY. 

Large  Hall,  50.6  by  77.9,  height  26  feet. 

Stage  Recess,         9.9    "    23.9 

Lobby,  11.0    "    25.0 

Ante-room  in  rear  of  Hall,  12.0  x  13.9,  with  another  room  of 
corresponding  dimensions  in  the  half  story  above. 

The  interior  of  the  two  halls  is  of  a  style  of  finish  and  deco- 
ration which  accords  with  the  external  character  of  the  edifice 
in  every  respect.  The  lower  or  smaller  hall  is  finislied  with 
[)ilaHters  of  the  Ionic  order,  sustaining  beams  on  the  ceiling,  by 
wliich  it  is  divided  into  panelled  C()ini)artments, — the  walls 
being  decorated  also  with  panelling,  disposed  in  suitable  divi- 
sions. The  upper  hall  has  a  graceful  coved  ceiling,  resting  on  a 
deep  Ionic  cornice  with  modillions, — the  face  of  the  pilasters 
carrying  the  same  being  enriched  with  Arabesque  festoons, 
modelled  in  higli  relief.      The  Avails  are  dadoed  up  as  high  as 


31 

the  sills  of  the  windows,  and  the  doorways  leading  to  ante- 
rooms and  staircase  are  ornamented  with  rich  architraves  with 
pedimented  heads.  The  panels  between  the  cross-beams  on  tlu- 
ceilings,  arc  ornamented  with  bold  mcmldings,  and  with  droi)s  at 
the  intersections.  The  eficct  of  the  whole  when  completed  will 
be  rich  and  attractive,  and  the  hall  will  doubtless  be  ffreatlv  in 
request  for  concerts,  lectures,  and  other  public  occasions  re(piir- 
ing  a  central  and  convenient  locality. 

The  external  style  and  appearance  of  the  building  are  of  a 
dignified  and  monumental  character,  and  well  calculated  for 
imposing  effect.  The  front  extends  55  feet,  on  Tremont  Street, 
and  is  divided  into  three  general  divisions,  or  bays.  The  centre 
of  these  is  decorated  with  an  order  of  coupled  columns,  re- 
peated in  pilasters,  behind,  and  carried  through  the  three 
stories — Doric  in  the  lowest,  Ionic  in  the  second,  and  Corinth- 
ian in  the  third  or  upper  story.  A  rich  composed  cornice 
crowns  the  whole  fii^ade,  surmounted  by  a  central  attic,  as  a 
pedestal  for  a  superb  figure  of  Ceres,  cut  in  white  granite,  from 
the  celebrated  antique  in  the  Vatican,  as  given  in  the  3Iuseo 
Pio  Clementino^  p.  27.  The  angles  of  the  front  are  decorated 
wdth  projecting  piers,  cut  with  rich,  vermiculated  quoins,  and 
forming  bases  at  the  top  of  the  entrance  story  for  two  other 
figures,  one  of  Pomona,  and  one  of  Flora,  the  latter  copied  from 
the  renowned  Flora  Farnese  at  Naples.  These  elegant  w^orks 
of  art  form,  it  is  believed,  the  first  examples  of  statuary  of  a 
high  order  of  excellence  ever  placed  in  similar  positions  in  this 
country. 

The  style  displayed  in  this  costly  and  elegant  design  is  one 
which,  it  is  believed,  accords  well  with  the  character  and 
requirements  of  such  a  structure.  It  will  at  once  be  recognized 
by  all  those  conversant  with  such  matters,  as  the  prevailing 
method  of  modern  Europe;  a  style,  which  the  taste  of  the 
present  Emperor  of  France,  in  particular,  has  so  largely  illus- 
trated in  most  of  the  modern  works  of  the  French  capital. 
From  its  great  intrinsic  beauty,  not  less  than  from  its  extreme 
readiness  of  adaptation  to  the  wants  and  uses  of  the  present 
dav,  it  has  attained,  under  the  general  title  of  the   Renaissance, 


32 

universal  popularity  in  Europe,  and  in  the  chief  cities  of  our 
,own  country.  Derived  originally  from  Italian  sources,  and  par- 
ticularly from  the  later  edifices  of  the  Venetian  Republic,  it  has 
now  been  so  successfully  naturalized  elsewhere  as  to  have 
become  the  prevailing  manner  for  most  of  those  important  pub- 
lic edifices,  which  are  destined  to  be  regarded  as  the  best  archi- 
tectural records  of  our  time,  by  posterity.  A  situation  so 
prominent  as  that  of  the  Horticultural  Hall,  certainly  demands 
a  graceful  and  harmonious  style  of  design,  and  it  is  hoped 
that  the  building  now  in  process  of  erection  will  stand  as  a 
fair  memorial  of  our  present  advancement  in  architectural 
knowledge  and  taste. 

Messrs.  G.  J.  F.  Bryant  and  Arthur  Oilman,  architects,  and 
superintendents  of  the  erection  of  the  building,  are  so  well 
known,  as  gentlemen  of  experience  and  taste,  that  any  commen- 
dation would  be  superfluous.  They  have  made  all  the  internal 
arrangements,  agreeably  to  the  views  and  requirements  of  the 
Committee,  and  the  external  character  of  the  edifice  will  show 
their  taste  in  harmony  of  details,  beauty  of  proportion,  and 
general  expression  of  design. 


